How to Get Around on New Year's Eve, Despite Subway and Street Closures

MIDTOWN — Major parking and driving restrictions will shut down streets throughout Midtown Monday in preparation for the annual Times Square New Year's Eve gathering — virtually locking down access to the area after 1:30 p.m.

The MTA is shutting down stations along the 1, N, R, and W train lines from 7 p.m. Monday until after the the ball drops at 12:15 a.m. Tuesday. And streets inside the zone of Fifth to Eighth Avenues between 34th and 57th streets will be locked down for parking or driving after 1:30 p.m. Monday.

Officials are urging those in the area to take mass transit and to be aware that backpacks and large bags are not allowed in the cordoned areas.

Attendees will be gated into separate viewing sections, and once one section fills up, people will be directed to the next viewing section, filling Times Square along Broadway and Seventh Avenue, and moving north towards Central Park.

Alcohol is prohibited inside the checkpoints, and people will not be allowed back inside the gated areas once they leave, police said.

Starting at 1:30 p.m. Monday, Times Square will be closed to vehicular traffic, and serious delays are expected in the roadways surrounding the area. Other streets will close after either 5 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. as crowds fill the area.

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